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Rain pelted down on Shouto's head. He was soaked to the bone. His knees were red and bloodied. His eyes were bloodshot from crying. He wiped at his nose, sniffling. He was so tired. He didn't want to go back. He just wanted to sleep. His feet hurt so badly. He didn't want to dance like that anymore. He loved singing but it was all too much. He hated the thing he was forced to sing. He wanted his own music. He hated dancing. He hated those stupid mushy love songs.
He hated that he got hurt so badly when he messed up.
Shouto pulled his knees closer to his chest, sobbing into them. The rain poured down. He leaned against the building wall and looked up at the sky. The clouds were so dark. It was so cold. He wanted his mom. He knew he couldn't stay here. The longer he sat here the worse it would be when he went back.
The worse he would be. Another quiet sob wrenched its way out of Shouto. He looked down covering his face with his hands. He knew he had to stop crying. 9 years old was too old to be sobbing like this. At least the rain covered his tears. It-
Wait.
Had the rain stopped? He could still hear it. So why wasn't he being soaked through more?
"Are you ok?"
***
"Our main guest tonight needs no introduction, but I'M GONNA GIVE HIM ONE ANYWAY! Superstar recording artist and philanthropist. 4 Platinum Albums with his last going double Platinum, a sold-out world tour, with 3 Grammys to his name- Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome out Todoroki Shouto!" Yamada Hizashi called out, addressing the live audience of the talk show. Present Mic was a wildly popular late-night talk show. Shouto had agreed to come on if only to get his agent off his back.
Yamada's words drew Shouto from his musings as he made his way onto the stage. The audience went wild, clapping and cheering. He gave a small polite wave, walked to the couch, and sat down. Yamada sat at his desk "Thank you for having me," Shouto said.
"No, my man, thank you for coming! I couldn't believe it when my team said I booked you! You hardly ever give interviews!" Yamada turned to the crowd "We're all absolutely STOAKED you're here!"
The crowd cheered in agreement.
Shouto hummed and crossed his legs "Well, my manager said I have to do at least three a year. So, here I am."
It could be taken as an insult. I'm only here because I have to be. But at least Yamada didn't take it as such. "Well, I am honored to be one of the lucky few. So! How are you? It feels like it's been ages since we've heard from you. I know you just had that sell-out tour a few months ago, but any word on new projects?"
"I'm working on another album," he said "It's slow going but things are progressing nicely."
This was a lie. Shouto had almost no progress on his current album. A lot of waste bins full of paper but absolutely nothing worthwhile. It was grueling.
Yamada leaned forward, his glasses slipping down his nose "Oh man, that's so exciting. Your last album Aegir went double platinum with three back-to-back number one hits. That's gotta be hard to follow up."
It was. "I guess so," Shouto said "I try not to compare my art." This was also a lie. How in the world was Shouto going to make anything even close to as good as Aegir had been?
"What kind of sound are you going for?" Yamada asked
"A unique one."
The crowd laughed, as did Yamada "Well it's a Shouto album. Of course, it will be. You're a highly unusual artist! Any themes you're writing about? Your breakout first album was about your struggles growing up in an abusive household. I dunno about you, audience but Cold Stare still makes me openly weep." The crowd agreed "And of course, Aegir was so visceral. Raw emotion. Pushing forward. Trying to break the cycle. Maybe this new album is about something a little... Happier? There are all kinds of rumors about you and pretty girls-"
"I don't write love songs."
"Oh yeah I've heard you say that before," Yamada said "Can I ask why?"
Shouto drummed his fingers on the couch's armrest "I only write songs about things I've experienced. I wrote about my family because it happened to me. I wrote about seeking therapy and the struggles of moving forward because... It happened to me. Is happening to me. I don't write love songs for the simple fact that I have never been in love."
This, like many things Shouto had said. Was a lie.
***
"Are you ok?"
Shouto looked up. There was a boy standing in front of him. His age by the look of him. He stood over him, holding out his bright yellow umbrella over Shouto's head to keep the rain from him, even if his own dark curly mop of hair was getting drenched. He looked back down at Shouto with wide green eyes.
"Huh?" Shouto asked.
"I asked if you were okay," he said. His voice was soft and melodious. "It's pouring and you're out here all alone."
Shouto couldn't help but let out another sob "I- I'm fine. Go away!" he yelled.
The boy didn't move. He didn't even flinch at Shouto's harsh words. "You seem like you need someone. And well... I am here!"
***
"Never been in love, eh?" Yamada asked "You're still so young. You've got plenty of time."
Shouto hummed "Maybe," he said "Aren't you married?"
"Been for 7 blissful years, my man! Me, my husband, our amazing daughter, and our 3 cats. Perfect home. So, you hit the scene at an early age. Only 17 when you dropped your first album. Though everyone already knew your name from the band you were in with your siblings as kids."
Bad, bad memories. "Right."
"I was just wondering if you always had an interest in music?"
Shouto thought for a moment "I did, but I didn't fall in love with music until I was nine."
Yamada raised his brows and leaned toward him "Oh? That sounds like a juicy story."
He shook his head "Nothing really. Just... Heard someone singing. That's all."
"Anyone famous?"
"No, I don't even know who they are. Just someone from a long time ago."
***
"...isn't that a song title?" Shouto asked, "By All Might?"
The boy grinned "My favorite song! I loooove All Might. I wanna be just like him when I grow up! And he's all about helping people with music soooo-" The boy inhaled and began to sing.
"I'll be there in no time, there's nothing to fear! Hold on tight! I'm on my way. I'll save you with all of my might. When you cry, I will dry your tears. I'll smile for both of us, keep you safe, for I am here!"
It was like an angel. His voice was clear, like a bell. It shot right through Shouto's core. Like a fire sparked inside him. Shouto sat up closer to the boy. He felt inspired. He wanted to sing. He wanted to find his piano and get all these feelings out! "Your voice is amazing."
The boy blushed darkly "Ah- well- I... You think so? Kacchan tells me I'm annoying when I sing."
"I don't know who that is but he's dumb. Your voice is really nice you should never stop singing." He frowned "And I know a thing or two about singing." He cleared his throat and began.
"You saw through me, all this time. I'd forgotten people are kind. I was hurting. And you knew. So you showed me what to do."
He gasped "Oh WOW! Your voice is amazing! I didn't know people could see that well!"
Shouto shook his head "It's just because I've been forced to sing since I was little. You though, your voice is natural. I bet if you practiced you'd be better than me."
He smiled "Thanks."
"What song was that?"
"It's not. I just made it up."
His big green eyes got wider. "That's amazing! Did you make it up just now?" Shouto nodded "Oh my god you're so cool! How did you do it?"
Shouto shrugged "I dunno. I just... Think of stuff. Don't you?"
He hummed a moment "Sometimes? Do it again. I'll make up the next line."
So, Shouto sang again.
"You saw through me, all this time. I'd forgotten people are kind. I was hurting. And you knew. So you showed me what to do. You said-"
"I will listen! Tell it all, when you finish... We'll talk more!" The boy sang back. It sounded good.
"But I didn't know how, so we took it turns and to my surprise, we found my words."
"Feet firm on the ground, we stood hand in hand-"
"The world seemed to tell me, that I... I have a plan."
"Together we sang," The boy said, their eyes locked.
"I'm ready now." They sang the line together as if reading each other's minds.
"SHOUTO!" it was Fuyumi. She had her raincoat on. She ran to him "Honey you can't be out here! We have to home right now. Dad is gonna be so mad at you-" she grabbed him by the arm hauling him up "Sorry honey," She told the boy "We gotta go."
"Wait-" Shouto said, turning to face the boy "I wanted to ask your-"
"Shouto we have to go right now!"
The boy smiled and waved, standing under his yellow umbrella. Fuyumi tugged him along. Shouto stared over his shoulder. "Bye, Shouto!" he called "We should sing together again someday!"
He wanted that. To sing with him. "O-okay!" he called "I promise!"
***
It was funny. It had been 12 years and he still thought about that boy with the voice of an angel and his yellow umbrella. He had half-written notebooks full of love songs to that kid who offered him kindness when he needed it most. Most of them searching for the ending of that song they made up together. None of his lovesongs were finished. He couldn't.
He never did see him again. Or even get his name. But Shouto thought of him, all the time.
"That wasn't so bad, now was it?" Yaoyorozu teased, through the phone. "You did a good job last night. When can I book you for another?" His agent, Yaoyorozu was a good, if tough manger.
Shouto rolled his eyes "It was tolerable. Yamada, while loud, is very good to his guests. I don't hate coming on his show. As for my next, just... do whatever you want. I don't care."
"You know you really shouldn't give me so much free reign. But I'll see what I can do to make it easy for you. In the meantime, get to writing. You mentioned this new album, you have to make good on it now!"
He sighed "I know, so. Let me get to it. I'll talk to you later."
"Bye Todoroki-san."
Shouto hung up his cell phone and shoved it into his pocket. He sat at his grand piano in his massive apartment. On the stand in front of him was his latest attempt at a 'song' nothing more than a few chord progressions. He'd even resorted to using the dreaded 'Pop Song Chord Progression'.
He'd nearly lit a match to the whole damn piano it had been so unbearable.
His stomach growled. He could get something delivered. Or get his security to take him out. But he didn't want to deal with it. So, best to go incognito. A beanie and sunglasses. With this perfect disguise, no one would know it was him. He grabbed his umbrella, yellow in color. He just... liked yellow umbrellas. It wasn't raining, but it had a high chance too. Better to be safe than sorry.
Shouto slipped out into the street, letting the cold night air wash over him. He pulled his scarf up over his mouth. His favorite soba restaurant wasn't a far walk. Three blocks down and one block left. He kept his hands in his pockets as he stomped down the street.
He turned the corner and the sound of a guitar filled his ears. An acoustic. It was a light airy tune. He kept walking. Though the melody sounded familiar? Oh right. It was an old All Might song. Then, someone began to sing.
"I'll be there in no time, there's nothing to fear! Hold on tight! I'm on my way. I'll save you with all of my might!"
A beautiful tenor. Shouto stopped where he stood. The voice was clear, like a bell. It shot straight to his core. He nearly tripped to run back to the intersection. The person playing the guitar was catty-corner to him. He couldn't see them well, a crowd of people covered them. Shouto quickly walked across the first street where the light was green before switching to cross the other before the light had even turned, not caring he almost made a car stop.
The voice was louder here. It was so beautiful. Like an angel. Shouto was helpless to resist it. He elbowed his way past the small crowd and saw his siren. Short, but handsome. He had soft features with wide green eyes and wild dark green curls.
He was attracted to him at once.
He stood behind his guitar's case, letting people throw spare change into the open case.
"When you cry, I will dry your tears. I'll smile for both of us, keep you safe, for I am here!"
His voice was so distinct. For a moment Shouto felt compelled to sing along but- that would be so weird. Not to mention might give him away. Instead, he stood there, listening to this busker. Occasionally those bright green eyes wandered to him. He relished in every moment.
Shouto stood there until he felt a drop of water on the back of his neck. Then two then-
It was a downpour. The small crowd scattered at once. The guitarist squeaked "Oh no!" he cried "My guitar." He fumbled trying to get it back in the case full of money and spare change.
Without thinking, Shouto unfolded the yellow umbrella and covered it over the man.
The man looked up, kneeling down over his case "Huh? Oh! Oh thank you so much!" he quickly zipped his case up "I don't know what I'd do if this guitar got ruined. No way I'd be able to afford another one."
"No problem," Shouto said, stepping closer to keep them both mostly covered "I'd hate for the water to get into the case. I can walk with you somewhere?"
The man blinked "Oh, really? You'd do that?"
He nodded "I'm working from home right now, but there's no hard deadline. I have plenty of time. Just lead the way."
"If you could just walk me to the nearest subway? I gotta take the train to get to my place."
"Sure," Shouto said and they began to walk together "Your singing voice is amazing."
That made the man stop. He squeaked and hugged his guitar to his chest "Oh! Thank you so much. I've been trying to get into some classes for it. I think I can do more."
"You're very naturally talented."
The walk to the subway station wasn't far. They spent the whole time talking. Their conversation flowed like wine. Easy. Almost too easy. He and the man stopped next to the steps leading down. "Thanks again. I really owe you for the save."
Shouto shook his head "It was nothing please don't worry about it." This man was about to leave him for good. Shouto could feel his heart shudder at the idea. Luckily for him the guitarist seemed to have a similar sentiment.
"Uh... I'm sorry if this is crazy but can I give you my number? I haven't even seen your face and- oh gosh sorry this is so weird!" he sputtered, lifting up the case to cover his face.
It was adorable. Shouto pulled his phone out and pulled up the contacts. The man was still rambling when Shouto shoved the phone into his face "Here put your contact information in," he said.
He squeaked "R-really?" but he took the phone and quickly typed it out. He handed the phone back.
His number. Shouto had gotten the handsome stranger's number. He read the name- he had his name! "Midoriya... Deku?"
He laughed "No, no it's Midoriya Izuku. But funny, Deku is my stage name."
"I think I prefer Izuku," he said and texted Midoriya's number "There, now you have mine."
Midoriya pulled out his phone "Perfect, I'd love to uh... Maybe take you out for lunch? As you know... Repayment?"
"We can go to lunch, but I might have to insist on paying."
"I mean," Midoriya laughed. He had a beautiful laugh. "I won't say no to a free meal. I'm a starving artist. So... What's your name? I need something to put in my contacts. I don't think you want to be 'Umbrella guy' or 'Sunglasses Beanie'."
A soft laugh escaped Shouto before he could think to stop it. "Shouto," he said "Next time I won't wear the beanie and sunglasses."
"Shouto huh? Kinda like Todoroki Shouto. I'll remember that, I'm a huge Shouto fan."
"Yeah, I'll see you around, Midoriya."
He was gifted a bright smile "See ya, Shouto." Midoriya waved and walked off down into the subway below.
Shouto watched after him, all thoughts of the boy from his childhood pushed aside. His head full of a sweet tenor voice and big green eyes. Focused on a handsome face and freckles. For the first time in a very long time, Shouto wanted to write a love song and finish it.